Poultry at markets: handling and transport

What the law says about the welfare, handling and transportation of poultry, particularly at markets

This guidance is for England

Poultry are required to be handled and transported in a certain way. This includes safely carrying poultry, supporting them with both hands and ensuring that there is adequate space and ventilation.

When transporting poultry, only use vehicles that are fit for the purpose. Transport of poultry on journeys over 65km and under eight hours requires the transporter to be authorised (different rules apply for animals being transported for longer than eight hours). Drivers or attendants responsible for the transport of farmed poultry over 65km must hold a valid certificate of competence. Journeys over 50km require an animal transport certificate to be completed for each journey and kept for six months.

Handling & welfare

Three simple rules for better poultry handling:

1. Use both hands:

2. Enclose the wings and support all the bird's weight in your hands:

3. Ask for help with box lids and cage doors:

This is the correct way to handle poultry at a market. Further advice is available from the animal health inspector, if one is on duty at the market.

Poultry handlers must not:

lift, carry or drag poultry by the head, neck, wing or tail

tie or bind poultry by the neck, leg or wing

use only one hand when catching, lifting and carrying poultry. You should always use both hands to support the bird

carry poultry in a sack or bag. You must use only rigid containers with enough space and ventilation

carry poultry head downwards

transport poultry in containers with other types of livestock

expose unfit poultry for sale

cause suffering to poultry at any time

When transporting poultry always remember that:

poultry and animals quickly overheat during warm weather in vehicles. Do not leave them in your vehicles as they could die. Failure to comply with this specific advice could result in prosecution for causing unnecessary suffering

the means of transport should be designed, constructed, maintained and operated to avoid injury and suffering and ensure the safety of the animals

rigid containers must be of a sufficient size, strength and design to prevent the poultry from injury and unnecessary suffering while inside

containers should always be carried upright and you should make sure that heads, legs and wings are unable to protrude

receptacles must be labelled to indicate they contain live birds and marked with a sign indicating the receptacles' upright position

you must not overcrowd the container and should avoid jolting or shaking it. Containers should be secured so as to prevent displacement

you must ensure there is always an adequate supply of fresh air into the container

This information is intended for guidance; only the courts can give an authoritative interpretation of the law.

The guide's 'Key legislation' links may only show the original version of the legislation, although some amending legislation is linked to separately where it is directly related to the content of a guide. Information on amendments to UK legislation can be found on each link's 'More Resources' tab; amendments to EU legislation are usually incorporated into the text.